Francona interviewed with the Cardinals and said he would have liked that job, but they went with Mike Matheny. He says he’s been in contact with Theo Epstein in Chicago, but says it’s not the right opportunity. As such, he’s preemptively bowing out of any other jobs should they become vacant.

I think it’s probably a good call by Francona because (a) everyone could use a break and (b) I think Francona was pretty awesome on TV in the playoffs and would love to see more of him. But one wonders how much of a choice this really was.

I mean, if you’re Theo Epstein, and you don’t really want to hire Francona, don’t you maybe suggest to him — out of courtesy — to make such an announcement before you hire, say, Mike Maddux? So no one could write the “Epstein snubs Tito, goes with Maddux” stories?

Craig you were right in one of your previous posts. It looks like Terry is burnt out. Hopefully, after a year or two away he’s get the old fire back. Both the Cubs and Sox manager spots will be open again in a couple of years (actually, the Cubs will name a new manager after All Star break).

I suspected from the beginning that leaving the Red Sox was as much as anything a money decision by Terry. After the way the season ended, there was no way he could have expected a raise or a contract extension. It made sense for him to take a much needed year off and then go job hunting with his impressive resume next year.

I bet some team offers him a nice deal. Heck, maybe it will even be the Red Sox.